Mons, Belgium • 1971-1974

In the early '70s, amid Mons’ subdued sonic landscape, Blast erupted as a fiery force, heralding a sound that defied definition. Emerging in 1971, before "punk" or "heavy metal" became codified genres, Blast blazed with raw emotion and unbridled intensity.

Grounded in the local scene, they electrified venues like The Chinchin, their energy captured in live shots from May 1972. Led by Antoni Cucchiara’s visceral vocals and snarling bass, Tony Colonius’s otherworldly guitar riffs, and Michel Jacobs’ ferocious drumming, Blast embodied pure sonic rebellion. Producer Michel Chevalier, mesmerized by their power, aptly named them "Blast," symbolizing the auditory grenades they unleashed.

Blast’s journey began at l'École Technique de Hornu, where Tony and Antoni first united. Initially rooted in British Invasion and folk influences as Sixty-Toes and later The Oaks, they soon gravitated toward the heavy rock and blues rock emanating from the U.S. With Michel Jacobs joining in 1971, the lineup was complete.

By 1972, Blast entered D.E.S. Studios in Brussels to immortalize their ferocity. In a blistering two-hour session, they captured a raw, unrelenting sound that defied convention. The result was a small 1973 pressing on Majestic Records. Featuring “Damned Flame” and “Hope,” the lyrics delved into societal indifference, existential struggles, and prophetic visions of mechanized life. "Damned Flame" also pioneered the frenetic "d-beat" rhythm, predating its popularization by years.

Though Blast disbanded in 1974, their brief existence left an indelible mark. Their 1973 release and live performances remain treasured artifacts of a groundbreaking moment in heavy rock history.